Be Still: A simple guide to quiet times by Brian Heasley

A really helpful guide on establishing (or re-establishing) times with God: practical and accessible, yet never patronising


Be Still: A simple guide to quiet times
By Brian Heasley
SPCK
ISBN: 978-0-281-08633-7
Reviewed by: Jeannie Kendall

Let me start with a confession. I have been a Christian 50 years now, but I have always wrestled with quiet times – times of prayer and scripture. I was told when first a Christian, from a non-Christian background, that these times with God needed to be daily, first thing in the morning. My particular personality type struggles with that form of set structure and timing, and I have been greatly helped over the years by various books on personality and prayer and encouragements to recognise our individuality. But, in all honesty, I still wrestle.

This book, though perhaps aimed at new Christians, is a really helpful guide on establishing (or re-establishing if it has lapsed) times with God – it assumes daily but would work equally well for someone adopting a different pattern. It is practical and accessible yet never patronising, covering a number of topics including encounter, distraction, journaling, imagination, depth, seasons – these are just a few to whet your appetite. Each chapter has a summary with practical suggestions to try. It is a book, seasoned Christian as I am, which I have wanted to linger over. Brian is honest about his own journey and writes in a gentle style which makes it very readable, but I would recommend taking time over it.

It is a book which could – I think should – be given to every new Christian, or those attending Alpha or doing a baptismal course. But it is also a wonderful gift for someone who has been a Christian a while. We can all grow in this, can’t we? I heartily recommend this book to us all.

Jeannie Kendall is a ‘freelance’ (retired!) Baptist minister, a current tutor on the Pastoral Supervision course at Spurgeon’s College, and the author of Finding Our Voice and Held in Your Bottle